Bump or lump? Be breast aware this sport season

Bumps and bruises are part of the game,
but beware: your injury could be hiding something more
serious. That’s the message from Breast Cancer Foundation
NZ as Kiwis head into the winter sport season.

Chief
Executive Evangelia Henderson is urging women – and men
– to be vigilant if they sustain a knock to the
chest.

“Bumps themselves don’t cause breast cancer,”
Mrs Henderson says. “However, if you notice a lump that
remains after bruising, swelling and soreness resolves, we
strongly recommend that you have it checked by your
doctor.”

The Breast Cancer Foundation’s warning comes
after a Palmerston North roller derby player, Jody Hare, was
diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer following
a bruising encounter on the track. Jody went to her doctor
with soreness, bruising and a lump that, at first, was
thought to be a haematoma.

When the lump did not
disappear, Jody returned to her doctor and was sent for
further tests. She was diagnosed with ductal invasive
carcinoma and has since had chemotherapy, a mastectomy and
drug treatment. Throughout, she continued with her sport and
even represented New Zealand at the world championships in
the UK – just one week before having her
mastectomy.

Jody is grateful that her injury led to the
lump’s chance discovery. “If it had been any later, it
would have been a whole lot more serious,” Jody
says.

Mrs Henderson says, “Jody’s story is a reminder
that everyone should be breast aware. We encourage you to
‘Know your normal,’ and if you notice a change, see your
doctor.”

More than 3,300 women are diagnosed with breast
cancer in New Zealand every year. Men can get breast cancer
too – around 25 are diagnosed each year. Check out anychanges.co.nz to find out how to
check your breasts and know the signs.

As well as being
the start of the winter sport season, May is the
Foundation’s Pink Ribbon Breakfast month. Kiwis are
invited to host their own events to raise much-needed funds
for breast cancer research and patient support. Go to www.pinkribbonbreakfast.co.nz to
register your
breakfast.

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